CMS-Africa, the sister organisation to the Church Mission Society has celebrated its tenth anniversary by opening a new international base in Kenya as part of its vision to reach 50 million African families by the middle of the century.

CMS Africa House in Nairobi was opened by the former Archbishops of Tanzania and Rwanda, Donald Mtetemela and Onesphore Rwaje. Two hundred guests attended the ceremony including key church leaders from across Africa – among them the outgoing international director of CMS-Africa, Dennis Tongoi, and his successor, Canon Moses Bushendich.

Canon Moses described the building as a “miracle of faith, belief and trust in God.

“The new building will provide a base for CMS-Africa, a place where Africans can pray for mission and the means to make CMS-Africa sustainable,” he said.

CMS-Africa’s vision is to impact 50 million families across Africa by 2050 through its transformational programme of training, focusing on women’s empowerment, families, young people, business owners and leaders.

Since it was formed in 2008, the organisation has expanded and now has a growing team of missionaries and staff in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan. More than 20,000 people have been on its training courses in subjects such as Financial Freedom for Families, Business for Mission and its programme for youth development.

Dennis Tongoi said, “We believe in church on Monday . . . as I come to the end of my tenure as director of CMS-Africa, the overriding emotion I feel is joy at seeing people that God has raised up and I have had the privilege of working alongside impacting countless lives as God works through this ministry.”

Canon Philip Mounstephen, the executive leader of Church Mission Society said it was a significant step towards the fulfilment of CMS’s vision for mission in Africa.

“CMS-Africa has grown and matured and is now at the vanguard of mission, not only for Africa, but for elsewhere in the world. Through Canon Moses and his team, I believe it can be a catalyst to renew mindsets and transform communities for millions of Africans.”